The warlock walked three paces ahead of me. I didn’t trust him enough to blindly lead him to where we camped. Who knows what tricks he had up his sleeves? As we trekked through the woods I took time to study him. His face had a familiar feel about it and I thought hard about who he looked like, but I came up blank. As I studied him I could only imagine what type of person he was. He dressed like no other warlock I had met. On his head, he wore a black top hat; he wore a red velvet coat that fell to his knees; his pants were black as well as his knee-high leather boots; and around his waist was a red sash in a bow. He wasn’t dressed for the cold of the White Mountains but warlocks had all sorts of spells that could keep them warm.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWGaZmJetf

We had walked in silence for a short time before we reached the road. It was quiet and no one was around. I dashed across the road and stopped just inside the cave. I slid to a stop. It was empty. Tiara and Daniel were gone. Where they were, I had no idea. Why would they leave without me? I was too astounded to notice the warlock behind me.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUUDf5e3qC

He cleared his throat. “Your friends seem to be gone.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCiDtZY088

“Would you like help tracking them down?”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡCy5wblBqo2

I walked back past him out of the cave. “No, I’ll be fine.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UFly8lw9t

“Are you sure?” he said.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMVJ7yOOV7

I turned away from him and examined the ground. There were no tracks from any animals and no scent seemed to linger in the air. It was almost like they had never been here.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxF33RoFiN

“It seems like they have left no trace.” He stepped forward and picked up a clump of snow.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkHnGfw1MF

“There should be footprints. It hasn’t snowed since last night.” I walked forward and tried to find any trace, nothing.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrsrbzZ0nV

“It is possible that this top layer of snow slipped off the mountain and covered their tracks.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ltNpxFOdX

I turned to look at him. He had a point.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVhjjYzPZl

“See how the snow isn’t flat.” He dropped the clump of snow and ran his fingers across the ground.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuNXVYxVYU

“I guess it’s possible.” If he was right, then it was probable that if I followed the road I would find tracks.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6glTGSzu6

“Even if you can find tracks, is there a way for you to know for sure if the tracks are from your friends. This road is the main route through the mountains.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡw52OolMXbM

“What do you suggest then?”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHh6Ed4c83

“I have a spell that can track your friends but I need something with a connection to them.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡ709nl34eCy

“I don’t have anything.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8EnW2JJ0V

“You said that one of them is your bond mate.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkCMqhZvt8

I nodded.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡyA9IYvL2Kn

“Then I can use you.” He stepped towards me.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5wfttidcj

He smiled. “Don’t worry, it won’t hurt or have any lasting effects.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡD76NP4iB73

“How am I meant to trust you? I don’t know who you are or your name.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI8uXCYfPa

“Let me rectify that. The name is Jasper Nayda, warlock and friend to all those in the White Mountains.” He removed his hat and bowed. “And I solemnly swear that I shall not harm you or your friends, if we find them, in any way.” He placed his hat back on his head.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXTcIofKTO

“You could be lying.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxWmlLrEny

His smile slipped from his lips. “You are a paranoid one, aren’t you?”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlgQQesOti

“I’m a familiar. In the world, we live in, it pays to be paranoid.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2fTeYhuJb

“Fair enough.” He placed his hands behind his back. “But what other choice do you have but to trust me.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZJfl41MIo

Taking the chance that I found their tracks was risky. Jasper Nayda could have all sorts of motives, but he had done nothing but try to help me so far. Giving him the benefit of the doubt could be stupid but it was the best course of action. I needed to find Tiara and he was the way I was going to do it.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqKBgAPJpj

“We have a deal,” I said.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pmhiAgA5Z

His smile returned. “Excellent. We will need to go back to my house and get what I need for the spell.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoYvDkAE6j

I frowned. “That will waste time. Who knows how far they will get and what sort of trouble they will find.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sJN40nTKN

“I wasn’t planning on doing any spells when I left this morning, therefore everything I need is at home. If you want me to do the spell you are going to have to come with me.” He gestured back into the trees where we had come from. “It won’t take us long to get there.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLcA3vbj5g

There was no choice. I walked past him and off the road. “This better be quick.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSEgniBYWH

He clapped his hands and followed me.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0a0Ne1a8L

***copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlxbVBG7UM

Thirty minutes later I was still following Jasper to his home. I was ready to turn around, and try to find Tiara on my own, but I no longer recognised my surroundings. The trees were closer together and the snow wasn’t as deep. There was a warmth in the air that I had never felt while being on the White Mountains.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡndE1u2k50h

Jasper stopped suddenly. He placed his hand on the trunk of a tree and said “Open.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhhXi4bjfj

I felt the buzz of magic, and looked around. All I could see were trees.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dFCoBe5I8

Jasper stepped forward and he was gone. He had disappeared. Not a single trace or him anywhere.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6mw8QysVy

Moving towards where he had stood I could feel the buzzing of magic increase. I reached out my paw past the tree Jasper had touched. I felt a pull and my paw slipped through rippling air. It was some sort of magical door.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJQ0G84Ssk

Before I could decide to step through on my time, a hand grabbed my paw from the other side and yanked me through. I stumbled through and landed on my side. Jasper was standing beside me looking down at me.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxxSaWuo2d

“Sorry about that, but the door is on a timer. Take too long to step through and it could cut you in half.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUjTqrJZUF

I stood up. “You could have explained that before you just disappeared in front of me.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDooE5wIXZ

“Yes, I could have.” He dusted off his hands and spun around.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3axA2Ixw7A

I turned to follow him and froze at the sight before me. On the outside, the cluster of trees looked like nothing more than trees. There was no way anyone would ever think that a house was hidden inside. But here stood an extremely large home. Built from old stone and wood, the house looked like it had only recently been built. Vines and flowers covered every inch, and it was surrounded by a large meadow filled with wild flowers. The colours seemed to shine in the sunlight that was filtering through the trees.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEu3yVviUp

Jasper stopped on the wooden porch and turned to me. “I thought we didn’t have time to waste?”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs2mQGsnpq

Shaking off my amazement I ran up the cobble path and stopped beside him on the porch. “No, we don’t.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsAU3CDB9K

Jasper opened the door and inside his home was just as beautiful as the outside. It felt warm and cozy. We passed through the entrance hall and on either side, large arches opened into a living room, a dining room, and a kitchen. A set of double doors, that sat slightly ajar, led to a study. Jasper pulled the doors shut as we walked pass. He led me pass the staircase and into a large back room.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTpFWXArgv

The room looked like a study. Books filled the shelves that lined the walls. A large table in the middle held books, plants and ingredients sorted into jars. The room seemed an organised mess.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeXTBOA3cZ

Jasper removed his hat and coat and threw them on a chair in the corner. He rolled up his sleeves and jumped on a ladder. He grabbed a book from the shelf and flipped through the pages, as he climbed down. He read in a mumbled voice to himself before he began grabbing things. He crushed them all inside a small pot. The way he moved around the room appeared as if he was dancing. A look of joy filled his eyes. It was clear that he loved doing spells.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAs4uwH87Q

Jasper suddenly stopped and smacked the book shut. He picked up the bowl and walked around the table so he stood in front of me. He smiled, and said, “I promise this won’t hurt or have any side effects. Just stand still.” He scooped the mixture from the bowl and held it in his palm. He held it in front of me and blew it into his face.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjJhZGfA8w

I coughed and blinked to get the dust from my eyes. I shook my body hoping to get it all off. “What the hell!” I glared at him.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZK3SmStq4

He frowned. “Shh!” He held his hand over my head. “Show us the way.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUEVY9sFhz

My body tingled and I felt a pull in my chest. I turned and followed the pull, it was leading me out the house.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaTgsSWIs5

“Do you feel it?” said Jasper.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡey4YBXltqL

I nodded. “It’s like a pulling in my chest.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUFdPEnhkF

“I’ve never tried that spell on something alive before.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡjixZvnESEY

“You mean to say that you used me as a test?”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwPnhXFU1F

“Not intentionally.” He clapped his hands together. “No need to worry though. The spell was a success and now we can find your friends.” He grabbed his coat and hat.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bTFp5VCDF

I followed him back down the hall. “You said that this spell would have no side effects.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXXNXsaBlP

He shrugged. “It shouldn’t.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡATlqhCnWxp

“Shouldn’t isn’t the same as none.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡByAue0A9Ce

“Well, there is no excitement in life if you don’t take some risks.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSbLF8eQKA

“This wasn’t meant to be a risk!” I yelled.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkt0KKD8Hb

He shrugged again and turned into the kitchen.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiK7MY8n7L

I stopped and sat. I was sick of following him around. Jasper seemed completely insane. He had lied to me about the spell but I could feel the tugging in my chest, it seemed to have worked.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWDNIjVW9G

The front door opening brought me from my thoughts. I turned my head and there stood a young man. He wore a pair of brown slacks and a white shirt that was covered in dirt. Over his shoulder he was holding a sack. He frowned at me and dropped the sack.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP10QMLuUs

Jasper’s footsteps echoed as he slid out of the kitchen. “Theo, you’re back.” Jasper smiled. “Were you successful?”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxs6kbqg8A

Theo dropped the sack on the floor. “Yes and no.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFpXGfJrKE

“What do you mean?” said Jasper.copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp5GPFeena

“Well, Mr Dawson didn’t have his usually supply of items. He was stopped by Queen’s guard on his way from the capital. They confiscated all the things you required.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQHdX1oohx

“Oh,” said Jasper. “So you went and found them yourself?”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡYecobSEVko

Jasper’s smile slipped into a heavy glare. “Please tell me that you didn’t go and find the guards.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDz2Rx4gVm

“Okay, I won’t.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTAZhLSVHd

“Theodore!”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgs8VoMgzF

“I know, okay, I know. But you said that we needed it, and Mr Dawson has a family to feed. I was helping more than just myself.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUiyX951p1

Jasper sighed and rubbed his hands across his face. “I understand that you wanted to help. But you know why you can’t just go running into the capital. If someone recognised you-”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡndVYccJ58r

“They would have me arrested and killed. I know.” Theo crossed his arms over his chest. It was clear in his eyes that he didn’t want to disappoint Jasper. “I promise not to do it again.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡitHLBD9oTJ

Jasper smile returned. “Good.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TDlrBvxDV

“Now do you want to explain?” Theo gestured at me. “I thought your days of bringing home random animals was over.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡz18uZlHJqQ

Jasper laughed. “She isn’t a random animal. She is a familiar. I’m simple helping her get back to her bond-mate. They got separated.”copyright protection105ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJjSuUvDjo